Dynamic director Mahesh Manjrekar is ready with his new film, a bilingual based on the story of Mumbai's mills which closed down due to land deals. The Marathi version of the film, titled Lalbaug Parel is releasing on April 9, while the Hindi version, titled City of Gold, shall release on April 23. Mahesh is also playing the part of singer and lyricist for the films. We spoke to the filmmaker on the occasion of the film's Marathi music release. Excerpts:
You have always made films about topics close to your heart. What made you think of the mill workers story?
It was in the 1980s when this thing happened. I was too young to think about doing anything for the displaced and unemployed mill workers. But today I feel ashamed of it, and we all should be. About 80 mills were closed down, rendering three lakh people unemployed. These people must've gone through hell. We must do something about them.
And you think your film will be able to help them?
We must put the point across. I want this film to go abroad so that people realise what happened. We know about the gas chambers in Hitler's time, because films were made on the subject. Very few people know about the Bhopal gas tragedy, as we have not been tom-tomming about it abroad.
Why did you think of making this film in Hindi and Marathi?
Because, the soul of the film is Marathi and the story is from Mumbai. I have used various Marathi dialects in the film. And in Hindi because, I want
What if your film doesn't work?
I have no fear of failure. I'm ready to accept defeat. I wrote this film five years ago, and for four years I didn't have a producer. My blood pressure was rising narrating this film. I had to get it out of my system. Suddenly, three equally passionate people turned out to produce it.
What about singing and writing lyrics for the film?
Like I said, I have no fear of failure. We must try new things.
Amitabh Bachchan didn't turn up for the event, but called you up to wish you at the event…
Yes. He is one person I can just pick up the phone and call. Earlier too, he has obliged me by attending an event for my film Viruddh's background music composers, Ajay-Atul who are winners of the National Film Award for Jogwa's music.
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